'No excuses' – Leclerc 'feeling very ashamed' after Barcelona-Catalunya GP Qualifying crash

Charles Leclerc admits "feeling very ashamed" after crashing in Qualifying for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, adding that there was "no excuses" for the incident.

The Ferrari driver crashed on his first flying lap in Q3, suffering a snap of oversteer on the exit of the long right Turn 4 before spearing off into the gravel and making heavy head-on contact with the barrier.

Leclerc was unharmed in the incident, which brought out a red flag, and means he will start P10 for Sunday's 66-lap race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"Q2 lap was really good, I think all corners we were the strongest nearly," said Leclerc.

"Turn 4 was the weak corner for me so I released the brakes and I think I carried quite a lot more speed in, which was okay mid-corner but I ended up on the dirtier part of the track and lost the car. There's no excuses, it's a mistake."

Leclerc had finished second fastest in Q2, just half-a-tenth behind eventual polesitter George Russell leaving him to believe that a strong starting position was possible.

This was reinforced by Ferrari team mate Lewis Hamilton taking the second fastest time, just 0.064s behind Russell.

"Feeling very ashamed of coming here to speak in front of the camera after another 'what if'," added Leclerc.

"Unfortunately last week was the same with what if we didn't have that issue [in Monaco]. This weekend is what if I didn't do that mistake.

"I just feel ashamed of not putting everything together on what was a very positive weekend so far. The feeling is back and still optimistic for tomorrow but I should be starting higher up and I don't because of a mistake of mine.

"I feel ashamed for disappointing so many people that are supporting us. [It] must be tough to stick with me."